The two albums have a more similar vibe with each other than they do any other record in their discography, but that's about it. As I said before, it sounded like Lift a Sail was an effort just to try something different and was supposed to be a departure, but it was just kind of all over the place. Not that that means the songs are weaker, by any means. It just sounds like they didn't have a specific vision beforehand. This album sounds like they knew exactly what they wanted to do. Whether that makes it better or not is completely subjective.
What I was saying earlier in the thread. People act like every bridge was some ambient-electronic snooze fest. There are 13 songs on that record and the subdued bridge being described happens literally twice haha. When people say shit like that it leaves me with no option other than to believe they've never actually heard the album. Anyway, LaS and this are entirely separate bodies of work. It's fine to compare them imo but implying the band should have been writing a different album than the one they clearly wanted to write at that time is pretty lame and kinda inconsiderate.
I listened to this whole album on my drive into work this morning. I really enjoyed it. I'm going to miss the hell out of this band.
Agreed. I mean I thought "Illuminate" was such a beautifully crafted song and "The Deepest Well" has one of Ryan Mendez's best riffs.
I'll admit to being overblown on this topic, but I feel that it is exacerbated by the album's slightly disjointed nature. I enjoy a good amount of the songs on that record, (particularly the title track and Msk) but as a whole it'd slot it near the bottom of my list for YC's efforts. That is neither here nor there as it comes to this album. Have to say that the production on this album is pretty stellar.
Definitely. Compare "Got Yours" to something comparable on an older album, maybe "A Vicious Kind" or "Soundtrack". Shit sounds massive.
It really is, that's the word that came to mind when I was listening last night. What Appears is my current favorite song on the album, and that song just has a huge presence. Also I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite regarding the bridges because I really like the extended, subdued bridge in Savior's Robes. :P Great contrast with the anger/middle-fingered nature of the rest of the song. (which is awesome btw)
I think people would like Lift a Sail a lot more if "Crash the Gates" and "Make Me So" just weren't on there.
I was able to download it to my phone last night. You might try deleting the album from your library and re-adding it. Sometimes, I notice Apple Music is fickle with auto-adding. edit: just saw your edit - glad you figured it out!
Just finished my second complete listen, and have listened to a few songs on their own. SO many tracks are standing out to me already. Fields and Fences just feels good, don't know how to describe it, it's like moving forward and being ready for what's next, knowing your weaknesses and strengths and just being ok with moving one step forward. I'm loving Savior's Robes and A Place we set Afire, and I've been surprised by how much I like it when Leave a Light On plays. I don't think the songs we already knew about get enough recognition, since we've heard them before. RIP, Empty Street, and The Hurt Is Gone are each super strong tracks and among my favorites on the album (can't choose). What Appears and Got Yours both sound good to me but I don't think I'm in the right mood to appreciate them as much now as I may later on with further listens (only had the album since last night). Even wrecking ball is growing on me already so basically I have no complaints Sad to see this band go. Ocean Avenue was the first CD I went out and bought. Heard the single on the radio and decided to give it a try. At first it was all so new, some of the "louder" parts of the CD threw me off because I hadn't really listened to this kind of music before, but it grew on me over time. Yellowcard is the only band I've followed closely and bought every CD. I've seen them live 4 times now, the first time with my dad while I was in high school, it was something that I really enjoyed and he could get into and be there for. All I can say is I'm glad they have been able to consistently release good music, songs that mattered and really seemed to take me through all the different emotions and experiences I've had growing up. Like others, it seems like there's been a Yellowcard CD coming out for several big stages of my life and I won't get into them all here but even as this one closes out the YC era, it comes at a time where my wife and I are closing out our "young and married, just getting started" phase, and starting to look for a home to raise our family. Thanks, Yellowcard, for going out on your own terms, recording your music and giving us one final (amazing) CD, and final world tour. Can't wait to rock out seeing you guys live one last time!
Crash the Gates is one of my favs on there lol. To be fair, seeing it live and how awesome and heavy it sounded swayed me though lol. Make Me So has always sounded like an attempt at making another With You Around.
I said earlier in this thread that I like all of those songs. It's very strange, but hearing them all together just doesn't draw me back to that album. I do think all of the ones released before the record came out are my least favorites, but still. For as much as I like a chunk of the album, I don't go back to it very much.
I like "One Bedroom" the best of those three and think it fits best with the other songs. Plus, I know it was a very personal song for Ryan, which I appreciate. "Make Me So" is the only one I don't actually like.
Ditch Transmission Home, Crash the Gates, and Make Me So. It opens so weakly and then gets really good.
^^^ See, I love Transmission Home! (minus the bridge, haha) It's definitely a divisive album... I've always been fairly negative on One Bedroom. I understand it's an important song for Ryan and I do really enjoy the breakdown, but I think it overstays its welcome. *shrug* Finished the album for a second time, and it was just as strong as the first. Really impressed with what they've done. This album has bits and pieces of every era throughout their career, a concise and focused sound, and it expertly navigates the difficulties of saying goodbye while still offering the positivity that is so strongly associated with Yellowcard.
Crash The Gates and One Bedroom are the ones I'd cut. I've personally always thought My Mountain sonically disrupted the flow of the album way more then Make Me So. Plus that riff in the Make Me So bridge always makes me smile haha.
"Transmission Home" is a great song and I love how it pairs with "Convocation." Would definitely not cut it.